attain

Gain through effort

Attain means to reach or achieve something, typically through effort: She attained her goal of running a marathon.

The word often applies to abstract accomplishments—attaining success, wisdom, or a certain age.

It carries a slightly formal tone and implies the thing attained required sustained work or development to reach.

achievement

accomplish

Complete successfully

fulfillExecute to completion
achieveSucceed through effort
realizeBecome aware of

actualize · complete · secure · acquire · earn · win · gain · obtain · succeed · master

progress

advance

Move or progress forward

progressMovement toward improvement
climbAscend using effort
riseMove to higher position

ascend · arrive · reach · approach · near · move · proceed · scale · soar · elevate

mastery

master

Authority or controller

learnAcquire knowledge or skill
acquireGain possession of
absorbTake in fully

grasp · comprehend · command · expertise · proficiency · competence · skill · fluency · knowledge · study

aspiration

goal

Desired end result

ambitionDesire for achievement
dreamSleeping mind's narrative
aspirationStrong desire for achievement

objective · target · aim · purpose · quest · pursuit · desire · intention · endeavor · vision

realization

understand

Grasp the meaning

realizeBecome aware of
perceiveBecome conscious of
discernPerceive with careful attention

comprehend · recognize · grasp · discover · awareness · insight · enlightenment · clarity · cognizance · epiphany

success

triumph

Resounding, celebrated victory

victoryDefeating an opponent
accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
achievementAccomplished goal or deed

prosperity · excellence · recognition · acclaim · glory · prestige · eminence · fame · fortune · wealth

Categories

successsuccess, succeeds, achievement, wins, triumph
finishfinish, complete, conclude, end, finalize
obtainingget, obtain, acquire, gain, procure
progress wordsadvance, progress, improve, grow, develop
GET TO meaningsarrive, reach, access, enter, come to
success wordssucceed, win, achieve, excel, thrive

Opposites

achievement/success

attainfail

Be unsuccessful

miss · fall short · come up short · miss the mark · stumble

possession/acquisition

attainlose

Fail to keep

forfeit · relinquish · surrender · give up · let go

intentionality/effort

attainstumble upon

Find unexpectedly

happen upon · luck into · chance upon · fall into · inherit

Phrases

educational attainmentFormal learning level reached
academic attainmentScholarly success measures

Family

unattainable, attainable, attainment, attained, attaining, attains, reattained, reattaining, attainability

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G